honor the generation they inspired, to step forward to defend our nation, a generation who fought in iraq and who still fight in afghanistan. let us rededicate our own lives to the cause of giving back to our graigs great nation. as one of our nation's leaders said, the strength of our democracy has always rested on the willingness of those who believe in its values and in their will to serve, to give something back to this country. and now it's my privilege to introduce to you the man who spoke those words and who lives them every day, our secretary of defense, leon panetta. [ applause ] >> mr. president, mrs. obama, general dempsey, be distinguished guests, be ladies and gentlemen and, in particular, the family members who lost a loved one here on 9/ 9/11, 11 years ago on a morning very much like this, terrorists attacked the symbols of american streng streng strength, our economy and our commerce, be our military might and our democracy. and took the lives of citizens from more than 90 countries. it was the worst terrorist attack on america in our history. today, people gather across t